176-Year-Old Wenlock Hospital Performs First Organ Harvest
Mangaluru: Wenlock Hospital, a 176-year-old government institution, marked a significant milestone by successfully conducting its first organ retrieval procedure. The donor, 41-year-old Rekha P from Ragigudde in Shivamogga, was declared brain dead after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Rekha collapsed while drawing rangoli outside her home and was rushed to a private hospital in Shivamogga. As her condition worsened, she was transferred to Wenlock Hospital on January 6. Despite intensive treatment for two days, Rekha’s health showed no improvement, leading a panel of doctors to confirm her brain death under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
Dr. D S Shivaprakash, District Surgeon and Hospital Superintendent, praised Rekha’s family for agreeing to organ donation after guidance from the transplant coordinator of Jeevansarthakathe, Karnataka’s organ and tissue transplant network. A team from Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysuru, harvested her liver, which was sent to their facility, while her corneas were sent to KMC Hospital in Mangaluru for transplants.
“This landmark procedure at our hospital sends a positive message about the importance of organ donation,” Dr. Shivaprakash stated. Rekha’s brother Sheshadri, a carpenter, expressed solace in knowing her organs would save others, saying, “Her memory will live on through this noble act.”
Rekha, who had no children, moved back with her family after losing her husband two years ago. Her selfless donation underscores the transformative impact of organ donation.
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